Flat-bodied slender toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flat-bodied slender toad |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ansonia
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| Species: |
platysoma
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Ansonia platysoma, also known as the flat-bodied slender toad or Luidan stream toad, is a special kind of toad. It belongs to the toad family called Bufonidae. This toad lives only on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. You can find it in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, and also in Brunei. Its closest relative is another toad called Ansonia kelabitensis.
What Does This Toad Look Like?
Adult male flat-bodied slender toads are quite small. They measure about 2.1 to 2.3 centimeters (0.8 to 0.9 inches) long. Female toads are a little bigger, measuring about 2.2 to 2.8 centimeters (0.9 to 1.1 inches).
This toad has a very slim body. Its head and body are noticeably flat, which helps it hide. The head is wider than it is long. It has a pointy snout that sticks out a bit. You can clearly see its eardrum, which is called a tympanum.
The toad's fingers are thin and have small, flat tips. They also have a little bit of webbing between their fingers. Its toes are webbed and have small, round tips. The back of the toad, called the dorsum, is usually brown or olive green. The bumps on its back are quite smooth.
Where Does This Toad Live and How Is It Protected?
Adult flat-bodied slender toads live on the ground in mountain forests. They are found at high places, between 600 and 1600 meters (about 2,000 to 5,200 feet) above sea level.
These toads breed in clear, rocky mountain streams. Male toads call from plants that are in or near the streams. The baby toads, called tadpoles, live in the fast-moving water of these streams. They hold onto rocks and probably eat tiny plants that grow on the rocks.
The flat-bodied slender toad is common in the places where it lives. However, it does not seem to do well if its home changes a lot. Luckily, the places where these toads are found are well-protected. These areas include the Crocker Range National Park and Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, and the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak. These parks help keep the toads safe.
